Ahhh, what a sweet day. Whether you love your wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, kids, dog, cat, mommy or your bike, it’s good to love, right? And, it’s good to celebrate. This week, in honor of celebrating and eating out, I’ll give you one of my favorite knock-off recipes (so you can save your money next time!). And, my Top 7 Tips for Healthy & Lean Restaurant Choices. If you only go out on Valentine’s and a handful of other times throughout the year, please ignore these suggestions and simply enjoy the food and company. If you are a regular restaurant goer, though, and especially if you’ve got goals to lose weight and improve strength to weight ratio on the bike, it’s not too hard to stick with your plan and enjoy great foods with this guide.

Add water chestnuts and green onions. Cook until onions begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.

Stir in sesame oil.

Arrange lettuce leaves on the outer edge of a platter. Spoon meat mixture in center. Allow diners to spoon meat mixture into lettuce leaves and eat like a taco.

Comments:

I am a big fan of finishing the day with a “light” dinner. I believe for both health and healthy weights, it’s best to consume the majority of daily calories during the day, while your most active and to end the day with a lighter intake. And specifically, I recommend nixing most carbohydrates, and especially refined carbs unless it’s the evening directly before a “big” race or ride. There’s simply not much need for quick-energy carbs at night, and most of them offer little benefit. What’s more, overloading carbohydrates tends to promote fat storage unless they are readily used in activity. What do you usually do after dinner? Ride a metric century or relax and then go to bed? Me too. So, I keep it light at night and this recipes like this week’s Loving the Bite allow me to do just that.

On the other hand, every once in a while we eat out. This all becomes much more difficult at a restaurant. Give me a client who eats out several times each week, and I’ll tell you that it’s an uphill battle. But, not impossible. Here’s how you can stick to your lean dinner plans.

Top 7 Healthy & Lean Restaurant Tips:

Avoid most appetizers. Awesome Blossom, not so awesome. If you’d like an appetizer, try a salad, broth-based soup, edamame, or ahi tuna.

Remember this plate model when ordering your entrée – ½ plate of veggies, ¼ plate of protein, 0-¼ plate of a whole grain. To accomplish these portions, consider ordering an entrée + a side salad and splitting both with another person or taking half home. For example, you can order a steak and rice dish plus a salad, and portion it out to fit the plate model.

If ordering a dish that has a protein, veggies, and a grain, considering skipping the grain altogether. Most restaurants offer refined grains instead of whole grains, so it will just be extra calories acting as sugar in your body. And, no matter which meal you’re eating out, keep it to no more than 1 grain. For example, a burger with a salad rather than a burger with fries. If you have pasta, skip the French bread.

Consider decaf coffee or tea for dessert if others in your party are having dessert and you’d like to have something. If needed to avoid social awkwardness, go ahead a share a bite of the dessert and then go back to your tea. I’m the queen of rejecting foods I don’t want to eat and allowing others to bask in the awkwardness (I’m confident with my food decisions – you’ve just got to own it).

Moderate any drinking. You might remember that I consider a binge of alcohol a triple edged sword (and yes, I know, there’s no triple-edged sword). Here’s how this imaginary sword cuts you 3 ways: 1) It loads on the calories…even a non-sugary alcoholic drink times five is a whole lotta calories, 2) It reduces your inhibitions, including those concerning food choices, which often leads to overeating, 3) It can make it more difficult for your body to burn fat, for up to 3 days following the binge, as your liver deals with the alcohol rather than oxidizing fat. So, keep it to just 1 or maybe 2 (on a special occasion) drinks.

Eat slowly so that you know when you’re full. Ask to have leftover boxed or removed from the table so that you don’t continue to “pick” at it.

Remember, you are in control of what you put into your mouth. You are strong enough to make good decisions, enjoy the food and opportunity to eat out, and stop eating when you need to stop.

Whatever your plans (or lack thereof) are for the day and evening, make sure to treat yourself well. Take care of your body and enjoy yourself (cycling and healthy eating are not bad ways to go). Enjoy the opportunities to eat out with loved ones. And, let us know what dishes you’d like “knocked off,” and I’ll do my best to feature them. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Lisa Danielle Jellison – I think the photgraphy of EVERYTHING from Frederick to Columbel is incredible! I was amazed with these pictures.They are a very good-looking couple and it shows how much in love they are!Congrats to them, their parents, and the photographer, Theresa!

I would have liked to see what you had to say about that niche or lack thereof. I for one think many like to pigeon hole most of us into a niche. Even if you don’t think you belong in it. I prefer to say “narcissistic blogging” is my niche.It’s all about me, damn it!gorillabuns posted

I had a similar situation here last week. We had a day to come up with the idea. We didn’t get the nervous belly feeling. Idea we had was just OK. So we went with it ‘cos we didn’t have a choice. Funnily enough, we didn’t win the pitch 🙁

any thing. Strange them londoners. If the childlike offerings on here are all they can muster it kinda proves my point. In other words harries chopper, if all you can do is call us sensative Northern supporters names, you’ve no chance. Learn some big words. Then show them to your mummy while she changes your nappy. Then she’ll give you a big hug, and tell you everything is alright. Keep tryin’ knob ed. We would miss your kind on here. Yours in laughter Mussy

Love the idea of lettuce wraps….this one sounds delicious. Would it be alright to use cabbage (sometimes we can get cabbage easier, but we can usually get lettuce here too)?
Also, love the restaurant tips….especially #7. We don’t eat out often (usually), but when we do, I always eat too much instead of stopping when I’ve had enough, and bringing the rest home for later…I need to remember that I’m in control, and I’m strong enough to stop! 🙂
Have a wonderful day with your family!

Hi Amanda, Absolutely, cabbage would work well especially with the Asian flavor. I’ve also used large spinach leaves and different types of lettuces. And, don’t worry if you can’t find large leaves, you can make “cups” rather than wraps. I often use this lettuce wrap method with other dishes…hummus chicken wraps, falafel wraps, steak wraps, etc. It’s quite versatile and makes for light dinner. Enjoy and have a wonderful day as well!

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out. Have you tried either of these? Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.